SEC football: 15 instances where it just meant more
By John Buhler
5. Tennessee fans throw garbage, mustard bottles and golf balls at Lane Kiffin in his Knoxvillian homecoming of sorts
Don’t lie to yourself. We all have a sneaking suspicion that Lane Kiffin’s return to Knoxville as the head coach at Ole Miss would not go over swimmingly. With the Vols getting stopped just shy of the down marker on a fourth and long, it would be a controversial turnover on downs, leading to a Rebels victory at Neyland. What ensued following the tough spot was nothing short of … garbage.
Quite literally, as Vols fans threw garbage, golf balls and mustard bottles on the field, and at Kiffin!
Being the ultimate troll that he is, Kiffin somehow found a way to take this in stride. After all, he named his son Knox after only spending one season as the Vols’ head coach. Admittedly, for as zany and absolutely wild of a moment it was to watch unfold on live TV, it was a terrible look for Tennessee fans, and the SEC as a whole. Frankly, it was starting to get unsafe for everyone there.
Ole Miss would go on to have a double-digit-win season and play in the Sugar Bowl. Although the Rebels lost to Dave Aranda’s Baylor Bears in New Orleans after Matt Corral’s college career came to a painful end due to injury, it became very apparent during Kiffin’s 2021 season at Ole Miss the Rebels were going to remain a factor in the SEC going forward. He has proven to be a great coach.
Nothing breaks easy for the ole Lane Train, which is why we love these type of moments so much.